Zombie Horses Will Kill You
I'm not into the zombie craze that has engulfed our media, but this image was introduced by a client and I thought it worth exploring. The popular concept of zombies is that the undead function as mindless enemies of the living. It is with this in mind that
We've all heard the expression "beating a dead horse." It's one of many oft-repeated phrases that have become cliches. Thankfully we are no longer drawn to the image being evoked, but simply translate the phrase into its intended equivalent - "You are continuing to discuss something that isn't worth the energy." [*See note below]
The problem is that many organizations have halls filled with stampeding zombie horses - ideas that some in leadership are confident are dead and not worth discussing while others continue to foster their undead survival with its mindless destruction.
What is a leader to do with these issues that have been "resolved" but never quite go away?
First, make sure that everyone is as clear as you are on the resolution of the issue.
Perhaps you simply have not articulated the resolution of the issue in a way that is clear and associated with your authority. People may be aware that this is your "opinion" on the topic or your "stance," but they fail to see that you have spoken in your role as organizational leader and that your statement is final.
Second, make sure that leaders within the organization subscribe to and practice a "disagree but commit" strategy.
Healthy organizations have leaders who disagree about issues, but who commit to one another that those disagreements will not leave the conference room, particularly once a decision has been made. They will not continue to build factions or to argue their case publicly, but will fall in line with the organization's position on the topic.
The leadership will speak with one voice. They may continue to debate the issue's implementation and evaluation of that implementation over time, but they will not lobby against the position of the organization.[Next month's newsletter will feature an exciting announcement - be sure to read our May edition.]
Third, consider the relative merit of reiterating that a specific issue has been resolved and letting it go.
When you find a zombie horse you must see that its status as undead changes. Either you make clear that the horse's demise has been prematurely communicated or you make clear that the horse is, in fact, dead (the situation we've been discussing). There are times, however, when your reference to a dead idea gives it an aura of life for those holding out hope of its survival. Sometimes just mentioning the horse is enough to sustain its zombie existence. This is a judgment call you must make and one that may not be supported or appreciated by others around you, but that is the privilege of leadership - making challenging decisions with far-reaching implications. Finally, respond quickly and vigorously when someone in leadership is found to be keeping a stable of zombie horses at their disposal.
This destabilization of company perspective and lack of respect for fellow leaders must not be tolerated. Depending upon the severity of the offense and the vigor of the stable's inhabitants, this may require anything from a private reprimand to termination.
Commit to the elimination of zombie horses and bring the carnage to an end.
At Julian Consulting we help our clients communicate decisions effectively so that once-dead horses remain properly buried. We are here to serve you and to help make you better. Call TODAY to determine how we can serve you in this process.
*This is how a cliche is born - when an imagistic phrase loses its power to evoke the corresponding image, but leads one to simply translate the words into another phrase, it has become a cliche. That's why writing often suffers from mixed metaphors because no one is considering how the verbal images fail to line up with one another.
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